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It has been very rewarding to have been involved in such a worthy and life improving project as the Food Justice Truck (FJT) – a collaboration with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC). It’s not often that an opportunity comes along when you can apply your design skills and experience to such a meaningful and sustainable project such as this. The truck is now officially travelling the streets of Melbourne to provide the community and asylum seekers (at a 75% discount) with locally produced fresh food.

Every now and then a new material comes along that I get a little excited about and try to imagine what product I could use it on. Such is the case with CocoForm, a new material made from coconut fibres from Enkev.

It’s true that bamboo is a highly sustainable material which has increased in popularity recently for this very reason. It is seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic, metal and even timber. But is it as green as everyone claims? Well it is, but a dramatic increase in demand has had some negative effects on its eco-credentials.

Sustainability is a minefield of myths and misconceptions. It is a complex world of factors that change from project to project, product to product. Each product is unique in its make-up and impact on the environment. No two products are the same when it comes to their manufacture, usage and end of life. Therefore, the same thinking can not be applied to every project. This is the bane of the sustainable designer’s existence.

In my favourite scene of Ratatouille, an anxious waiter tentatively asks Anton Ego, a food critic as equally feared as he is renowned, if he was ready to order. Anton sharply replied, “You know what I’m craving? A little, perspective. That’s it! I’d like some fresh, clear, well-seasoned, perspective.” The waiter was understandably confused, how can your food deliver an underlying value when it is generally taken on face value?

Back at the end of the last millennium, British actor and activist Joanna Lumley dreamed up an idea to create a garden bridge in memory of Princess Diana. That never eventuated and the years passed without the idea becoming much more than just an image in her head. That was until recently, when she partnered with designer Thomas Heatherwick and the idea was finally visualised. And it appears that the dream will now become a reality after the Westminster & Lambeth Council’s approved the plans. But although a beautiful and considered green space, the project has been heavily criticised, largely due to its high cost and a lack of need for it.

Who are we?

We're a bunch of like-minded industrial designers + engineers who congregate each work day at CobaltNiche in Melbourne, Australia. We have developed this blog because we believe that designers have a social responsibility to improve the world that we live in. Through this blog we aim to chronicle our thoughts on the topic, bring you the latest news and oggle over design that we feel is creating a better world. We hope you enjoy.